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THE EVOLUTION OF THE BLACK RIFLE: 20 YEARS OF UPGRADES, OPTIONS, AND ACCESSORIES

$12.95

Pages

178

ISBN

9780692317266

Jeff W Zimba brings the reader on a twenty-year journey through the testing and evaluation phase of America’s longest serving battle rifle, now known by many names, such as the AR-15, M16, M4, 416, and many others. From the History and Development of the Modern Black Rifle (an award winning, in-depth article) to accessories and configurations the reader may have never even heard about, this book includes numerous, previously published articles focused solely on the black rifle and includes a few of the author’s picks for new upgrades and systems to watch in the future. With a Foreword by legendary musician, outspoken outdoorsman, and 2nd Amendment advocate, Ted Nugent, and a Preface by a former Navy Seal of the elite Team 6 and member of the top secret team REDCELL, never before has such a compilation of articles on a single weapon system been published. Join Jeff Zimba on his journey to study (in his words) “the most versatile modular weapon system ever designed.”

Jeff Zimba, author of The Evolution of the Black Rifle: 20 Years of Upgrades, Options, and Accessories, was on the ground level in starting a new magazine (Small Arms Review) primarily covering NFA firearms (Machine Guns, Sound Suppressors, Destructive Devices, Short Barreled Rifles and Shotguns, etc) and served as the Production Manager and Staff Writer

I have only recently gotten back into shooting after a 40 year hiatus. I had been concentrating on more 'traditional' kinds of guns, hunting rifles, etc., until I stumbled across the MGI Hydra system (discussed in the book).

I had avoided the dreaded 'black rifle' because I had been poisoned by the massive propaganda against it. However, when I finally took an objective look at it, the simplicity, flexibility, and engineering involved in this gun, particularly the Hydra, made me a believer. The AR platform truly is the modern equivalent of the vaunted "Brown Bess" which played so vital a role in the founding of this country, and which represents the key freedom upon which all other freedoms rest: the right to defend oneself.

I have been following Jeff on YouTube for a year or so, and find his work to be practical, useful, and full of insight.

This book is a collection of articles he has written over many years, and the theme is the variety and flexibility of the AR system as it has evolved over time. It is not an encyclopedia of of AR history, nor does it promise to be that (as stated clearly in the subtitle). It is a sampling of the variety of which the platform is capable, based on the author's personal experience.

This is not a training manual, a guide to building ARs, the ultimate history of ARs, or a list of everything you can possibly do to an AR. It is not a detailed guide on how to implement all the models and devices tested. It is a survey of a range of models and devices, examined and tested, with information about how the items fit into the overall picture of the AR world.

I found it very helpful in understanding the platform, and in helping me to more clearly focus on what I want out of the AR system.

This was the first book I bought on the AR (though certainly not the last), and I am quite pleased with the quality and scope of Jeff's writing on the subject. I bought the book primarily to be supportive of his work, and actually found more interesting and relevant information than I expected.

Highly recommended to flesh out one's understanding of the AR platform."